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Marvin Straus: Abortion -- Religious views oppose equality of women

Posted:
10/30/2012 01:00:00 AM MDT

What an interesting letter from Susan Gills about abortion and the war on women (Open Forum, Oct. 29). I was struck by the dichotomy of her views. On one hand, she speaks about the rights of women (good for Susan) and on the other hand, she speaks about her religious prayers and activities opposing abortion.

I can't think of anything more opposed to the equality of women than religion, especially Christianity and Islam. Religion says women must cover their bodies, must obey men, and be "plentiful" by providing a herd of children. If one is opposed to abortion, wouldn't it be better to encourage birth control, provide sex education, stop denigrating masturbation and promoting a sense of responsibility.

I'm struck by the silliness of a religion that says an angel from heaven descends to place a soul in a women's womb at the moment of conception. What happens when the zygote splits some time later to form twins? Does an emergency soul delivery take place? I'm also struck by the conflict of religious commands that demand you provide satisfaction to your husband only to propagate the planet, forbids you from enjoying the sex act, says you can't do anything intelligent to prevent pregnancy, and above all, must not question the religious dogma of men. Feminism?

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The razor-thin margins in presidential polls speaks to this conflict of views between Ms. Gills and I. I would suggest that the answer is more communications between our two camps. Maybe, just maybe, we can work together to heal the schism that religion creates and exploits. How wonderful it would be to have a world full of children that were wanted. A world away from killing people to save the unborn, then ignoring them after birth.

MARVIN STRAUS

Co-founder of the Boulder Atheists; One of the founders of The Colorado Coalition of Reason, Boulder

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